Should Runners Really Engage In Winter Activities?

As I was getting my workout on yesterday (Shoveling the driveway), I was thinking about all the winter activities that my sister and I use to enjoy doing. When we were in middle school and high school we use to love skiing. I don't know why I enjoyed it because I'm not a fan of the cold, I always had trouble getting off the ski lift without falling on my behind, and I always felt as if my heart was going to burst out of my chest when I was at the top of the slope and about to go down.

I was a nervous wreck the entire way down the slope. I would pray that I wouldn't run into another skier and that another skier ( those speedy little kids) wouldn't run into me.  I would make it down to the bottom of the hill each and every time without any incidents and a feeling of "wow, that was great, lets do it again" and the cycle of fear would continue.  (All this aside, I was told that I was a pretty good skier)

As I became an adult I have become even more fearful of the ski slopes and vowed that I was "too old" for that kind of sport, yet each time I was asked to go skiing with family or friends, I went.  I haven't gone skiing in several years now so I'm pretty confident that my skiing days are over ( much like my days riding the Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Each and every year I tell my self it's the last time I'll ride it)!

However, the winter activity that I do enjoy as an adult is ice skating! We have a rink close to my house and have enjoyed many family outings there! It was suggested to me that we go ice skating  as a cross training activity on one of our non run days. I thought this was an excellent idea, except for one problem. Although I am a pretty good ice skater, I don't claim to be great and accidents do happen. I haven't had an ice skating accident yet ( knock on wood), but with a few important races coming up in the near future I don't want to take a chance of twisting an ankle or blowing out a knee.

What's your favorite Winter Activity?  Could it be somewhat dangerous?
Would you attempt skiing or ice skating while training for races?

And by the way, just in case you didn't see the shirt designs for the Glass Slipper Challenge!
 What do you think?

41 comments:

  1. I feel the exact same way Meranda. We took many ski trips and my husband is dying to go again. But I also have several important races in the next few months and I am very scared of getting hurt! If he was willing to go the end of March I would agree! :)

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    1. I think it's safe to say my skiing days are over ( even if I didn't have any races scheduled for Spring..haha).

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  2. I haven't ever been skiing or snowboarding sadly, but I hope to try it one day. I love ice skating though!!

    The PHM shirts are so gorgeous...makes me wish I would have signed up lol! I just have to keep telling myself that the Wine & Dine Half is going to be just as awesome! :0)

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    1. I prefer ice skating to skiing anyway! I can't believe I will miss you again at Disney! We plan to go for TOT this year instead of Wine n Dine!

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  3. Awww my poor heart! I love skiing! But I completely agree that it's always a balancing act between risk and reward. I definitely think everyone should try new things as often as possible, but nobody should be held hostage if they really hate something after giving it a good try. :) You can always set your bindings a little looser if you're afraid of getting hurt - the looser they are, the more easily they pop off when you fall down, lessening the risk of twisting your knee with your ski still on. Just an FYI :)

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    1. Thanks for the suggestions! I do enjoy ice skating and that doesn't evoke a sense of fear in me like skiing does so I will continue to skate ( next year though)!

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  4. I love skiing and ice skating but don't have an opportunity to ever do them anymore, living out in a rural area. Boo. I'm dying to see the PHM shirt in person to see if it's more silver or gray. Either way, I like the design and already trying to coordinate a bottom to go with it so I can wear it in the parks after the race! :)

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    1. You don't have an ice rink in MO? We have an indoor rink here. I am actually happy with the neutral colors of the shirts, although it would have been nice if they were a more girly color ( pinks and purples)!

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    2. Yep, I was hoping for blue for the PHM, but I'll live! We have ice rinks and even a place to ski, but all in St. Louis, which is 100 miles from where I live. I'm really out in the middle of nowhere in a town of 4000, next to the biggest town in the area, of about 20,000. Since my petsitting keeps me busy nearly every single day of the year, I can't get into St. Louis to do much, even see my mom. *sad face*

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  5. Poor you! You actually reminded me of the weekend a few years back when I went up north snowboarding for the first time. I was terrriefied to jump off the lift and every single time fall to the ground and then try to crawl away because more people were coming. It was hilarious and somewhat (okay.. VERY) embarrassing! Nevertheless, I really enjoyed snowboarding (I was very sore the next day though!). I should talk to my hubby so that we can go there again.

    xoxo
    Olena

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    1. Thanks for visiting Olena! Sounds like you made the best of the situation. I hope you do get to go again!

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  6. I don't like the cold, so I really try and avoid it as much as possible, but I do love to snowboard. However, since I am training right now, I haven't hit the mountain at all this winter for fear of getting injured. Maybe next year I will make it out to get a few runs in!

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    1. I imagine there are lots of opportunities for snow sports up near you. You are in New England states right? Good idea to not "play" on the mountain while training!

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  7. I was never into winter sports because I don't like the cold and I never learned to skate. But my mom and I did some snow-shoeing over Christmas and that was pretty good. It's still a workout, and I was sweating during it.

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    1. Snow shoeing is something I could very easily see my self doing. Sound like a good workout and very low risk! Thanks for mentioning it Lesley!

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  8. ha ha I can relate to that fear at the top. I took up snowboarding when I lived in Seattle as a way to deal with the rain. "oh it's raining...must mean there is snow on the mountains!" I was always afraid to get off the lift even though I got decent at the sport. I tried to keep it up living in LA, but it was just too costly, so I've since sold all my gear. I cried the day I sold my snowboard. :( Now "winter" in LA is not much different than summer as far as the activities I do.

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    1. Yes, sound like we had the same fear! I would love to have your LA winters! ( although I might miss seeing snow just a teensy bit).

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  9. LOVE the shirts!!!!
    I'm not a fan of the cold or the snow so I am not a fan of skiing or snowboarding! So I am good to go for not getting injured!

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  10. You are probably smart to not start those sports....haha! i'm liking the shirts too!

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  11. Are the shirts typically long sleeves since it is Feb?
    I do NOT ski despite my husband's attempts. He is dying for a ski trip, which is totally fine with me. I would have a BLAST being nice and cozy all day in the lodge next to a fire with some hot chocolate.... ;)

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    1. The shirts for PHM are typically Not long sleeves! Wish they were! Yes, stay cozy in the lodge!

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  12. For me - I do good just walking in snow & ice... I'm the one who falls & breaks things... easily.

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    1. Yes, Then you shouldn't be skiing or skating either...haha!

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  13. Skiing scared the day lights out of me. I hate heights.
    Many, many years ago, my husband (then boyfriend) took me on a ski trip. I sat in the condo all weekend blending margaritas and reading trashy romance novels while he and his BFF skied. ;)
    I did try the bunny hill. Once. It was huge.

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  14. I love to ski and snowboard but I haven't been in a few years. I think I would be fine doing it if I wasn't training for a marathon, but since so much time (and money) goes into marathon training, I would be too nervous about hurting myself.

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    1. Yes, that's exactly why I'm refraining from those activities!

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  15. I wasn't wow'd by the shirts, so I'm hoping they look better in person.

    I'm originally from the south AND I'm klutzy- so, no winter activities for me!

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    1. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the shirts when you see them in person ( I hope)!

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  16. I'm not really big on winter activities. My boyfriend really likes skiing and thinks I should try it out, so I might do that one of these days.

    I don't think I would ski or skate while training for a race, I would be totally bummed (and a little mad at myself) if I got hurt in the middle of training.

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  17. Haha, that sounds exactly how I ski and I've been told I'm a "natural" at it! As a Floridian, there aren't really any winter sports, but when I travel, I do love to ski and ice skate! I'd love to give cross country skiing a try one day too.

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    1. Actually, I wouldn't mind cross country skiing. That can't be that dangerous can it?

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    2. Probably not as long as you avoid wolves and polar bears! :)

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  18. I used to ski all the time in HS! We went to Ski Roundtop. I have not skied since college because running is too important to me than risk the injury! Though I skied for years w/ no injury, so it is probably a stupid fear.

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    1. True, I never had an injury the many years I skied either, but I don't trust myself now that I am older!

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  19. That's so funny you asked that question! I took my grade 5 class skating last year when I was training for the Boston Marathon and I was terrified I'd fall....lol. I was the slow lady gliding around the ice. ;)

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    1. O no, I would have been so afraid that one of the kids would run into me and knock me down. I've seen how those little kids speed around the rink! I bet that was a fun time though with your class!

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  20. Those shirts look great!
    I have never been skiing! I don't know if I would like it!

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    1. Well just make sure you try it when you have nothing else planned for the season ( just in case)!

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  21. I just bought a Groupon for ice skating, but I'm waiting until after my half marathon to use it because I'm afraid I'm going to destroy my knees if I fall! I fall when I'm not on ice so I know I'll be falling at least once. Too bad winter activities are so dangerous if you're a klutz!

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  22. I'm not into winter activities... but I'd REALLY love to try snow boarding. Maybe next year will be the lucky year!

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